Alex Bowman Safe After Huge Crash Stops Michigan Cup Race

Alex Bowman walked away uninjured after a powerful crash brought the NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway to a halt. The incident happened during the second stage on lap 68 of 200, when drivers were fighting for position after a restart.

Bowman, running 29th at the time, was caught up in a four-wide battle ahead of him. As Cole Custer lost control and clipped Daniel Suarez, Custer’s car then struck Bowman’s No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at about 150 miles per hour.

The impact sent Bowman’s car straight into the outside wall, lifting the rear tires off the ground. Bowman’s crash was one of the hardest of his racing career.

He quickly let his team know over the radio, saying, “That one was really f****** big,” before dropping the window net to signal he was okay and climbing out of his car. This was a relief to fans and his team, especially after Bowman missed races due to a back injury and a concussion in recent seasons.

Speaking from the infield care center after being checked, Bowman described the hit as “probably top of the board on hits I’ve taken.” He added that he hated it for his Hendrick Motorsports team and for sponsor Ally, who are based in Michigan.

The situation developed fast. Custer’s loose car appeared to be pushed either by the No. 2 of Austin Cindric or by dirty air, leading to a chain reaction.

Suarez’s car was spun, but he managed to continue. Chase Briscoe, who started from pole position, was also collected in the incident and spun exiting Turn 2, but he drove away and finished the race.

Only Bowman and Custer retired from the event. Bowman’s exit marked another tough race for the No. 48 team.

In the last nine races, Bowman’s team has finished 27th or worse seven times. The recent stretch has been filled with frustration, with the Michigan crash adding to the struggles.

For Bowman, the only thing he could do as he headed toward the wall was brace for a hard impact. The race was stopped with a red flag for about 13 minutes while safety crews cleared Bowman’s wrecked car from the track.

NASCAR’s quick response allowed other drivers and teams to regroup while cleanup efforts were underway. The high-speed nature of Michigan’s two-mile oval means wrecks here are often severe, but Bowman was able to walk away and was quickly released following medical checks at the track’s care center.

As action resumed in Michigan, discussion focused on driver safety and the difficulty of racing in large packs during restarts. Harsh wrecks like Bowman’s remind teams and fans of the risks drivers face every weekend.

Bowman’s crash will also be part of ongoing conversations about NASCAR’s safety standards and car design as the series continues through the summer. Despite another setback, Bowman and the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports crew will look ahead to upcoming races.

The team aims to turn their season around after this run of bad luck, and Bowman’s safe exit from one of his biggest crashes offers some reassurance as they move forward.